The Institute of the Arts Barcelona presents the 3rd year Musical Theatre show, Into the Woods, music & lyrics by Stephen Soundheim, book by James Lapine, with Direction by Elva Makins,Musical Direction by Alex Weatherhill, and Choreography by Rob Foley

Into the Woods intertwines the plots of several Brothers Grimm and Charles Perrault fairy tales, exploring the consequences of the characters' wishes and quests. The main characters are taken from "Little Red Riding Hood", "Jack and the Beanstalk", "Rapunzel", and "Cinderella", as well as several others. The musical is tied together by a story involving a childless baker and his wife and their quest to begin a family (the original beginning of The Grimm Brothers' Rapunzel), their interaction with a witch who has placed a curse on them, and their interaction with other storybook characters during their journey.

The musical debuted in San Diego at the Old Globe Theatre in 1986 and premiered on Broadway on November 5, 1987, where it won several Tony Awards, including Best Score, Best Book, and Best Actress in a Musical (Joanna Gleason), in a year dominated by The Phantom of the Opera (1988). The musical has since been produced many times, with a 1988 US national tour, a 1990 West End production, a 1997 tenth anniversary concert, a 2002 Broadway revival, a 2010 London revival and in 2012 as part of New York City's outdoor Shakespeare in the Park series.

Elva Makins worked for many years as an actresss, director, writer and teacher: performing credits include “A Patriot For Me” at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket,; “Same Time Next Year” at the Old Vic; “Look Back in Anger” on tour; “Jude the Obscure” for the BBC; “The Most Dangerous Man in the World” for BBC films. Directing credits include “Out Damned Spot” at the Tristan Bates Theatre and “The Road to Skibbereen” at the Arcola Theatre, London. Elva is also a writer, her plays have been performed at the Bloomsbury Theatre London, Mumford Theatre Cambridge, Judith E Wilson Studio Cambridge, The Rose Theatre Studio Kingston-upon-Thames, and the 503 Battersea. As a teacher she was Head of Acting at Urdang Academy London and later at Bodywork Dance Studios Cambridge; she has also worked as a guest teacher at the Brit School, Trinity Laban College and IDSA. “Into The Woods” is her first production at IAB.

Previous theatre performance credits include: Ruth in Pirates of Penzance (UK Tour), Buttercup in HMS Pinafore (UK Tour), Mary Sunshine in Chicago (The Adelphi & International Tour), The Fairy Queen in Iolanthe (Wilton’s Music Hall, London), Avrahm (Understudy & played Motel) in Fiddler on the Roof (UK Tour), Soloist in The Thursford Christmas Spectacular, Frederick in Pirates of Penzance (Golden Hinde), Josephine, Cousin Hebe and Buttercup in HMS Pinafore (Union Theatre). Production shows at various theatres, on tour in Cyprus and in a large tent in the middle of a Safari Park! Alex also has extensive experience as a cabaret artist and has performed all over Europe including celebrity parties, guest work on cruise ships and singing for HM The Queen. As a session singer he has toured the UK with various pop and rock acts as well as recording voice tuition CDs, concept recordings for new Musical Theatre pieces and even an art installation in Berlin! Alex’s solo album, ‘My Other Voice’, is available via iTunes.

Composer: The Diary of Anne Frank (Broadway Studio) along with numerous comedy and production numbers for The Spa, Bridlington.

Alex also works as a vocal coach and is currently an Associate of The Voice College (www.thevoicecollege.org) and is Arranger/Artistic Director for Coastal Voices, a contemporary choir based on the Yorkshire coast.

For further information you can follow Alex on Twitter (@alexweatherhill), via his page on Facebook, or check out: www.alexweatherhill.co.uk

Rob´s talents as a teacher have been employed by stage schools in UK, Ireland, Dubai and Italy. His choreography has included Oliver, Our House, Sussical, Coca Cola Olympic Torch and Fame.

As a professional performer Robert has appeared in Our House, Chicago, Pirates of Penzance, Cats, Fame, We Will Rock You, Saturday Night Fever, Peter Pan, Jack and the Beanstalk, Best Foot Forward, Look Before You Leap, Life in the Fast Lane, and TV shows — It´s Now or Never, Saturday Night Fever, ISTD, Go For It.

On top of all this Robert was Irish National Gymnastics Champion for 3 years running!

Institute of the Arts BarcelonaFounded in 2013, the Institute of the Arts Barcelona is a dynamic institute uniquely positioned to offer international performing and recording arts higher education in Europe. Students from all over the world benefit from our top-level professional teaching staff and UK university validated education in a stunning location on the shores of the Mediterranean. Their rigorous, interdisciplinary and transformative programmes are specially designed to provide an intensive and well-rounded vocational education. They offer 1-year Foundation Certificates, 3 year BA (Hons) and 1 year MA Degrees in a variety of performing and recording arts disciplines.http://www.iabarcelona.com

About the DegreeThe BA (Hons) Degree in Musical Theatre is designed for individuals with passion, creativity, imagination who wish to undergo a highly vocational and professional training and education for a career in musical theatre. The musical theatre students have 3 years to develop as creative artists who work and thrive in multiple contexts and environments. As the programme progresses, students spend more time in rehearsals and the production of stage projects, as they get closer to graduating and entering the performing arts profession.